Public Reading in Singapore More Than Just a Day at the Library

People attend a reading session outside the National Library Building in Singapore on July 13.

Then Chih Wey/Xinhua/Zuma Wire

It may have seemed like a simple gathering of children and parents reading together on a sunny day outside the National Library. But the reading session here was actually a response to a decision by Singapore’s National Library Board to remove three children books from its bookshelves.

The books are at the center of a storm about how Singapore defines and promotes family values. And that’s exactly what those gathered were reading, among a host of other titles.

As The Wall Street Journal’s Chun Han Wong reported last week, supporters of the removal say that the withdrawn titles contradict the state-sanctioned definition of family, which comprises a father, a mother and their offspring.

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The books include, “And Tango Makes Three,” a 2005 picture book based on a real-life case of two male penguins that hatched an egg and raised the chick at New York’s Central Park Zoo. This title has also drawn opposition in the U.S. for its perceived depiction of homosexuality.

“The White Swan Express,” a 2002 book featuring prospective parents from North America—including a lesbian couple and a single mother—traveling to adopt children from an orphanage in China.

“Who’s In My Family” was removed from library shelves in May, according to a library board spokeswoman, who didn’t give a reason for the withdrawal. The book features various types of family composition, including single and same-sex parents.

The library board says it takes a “pro-family” approach to curating its collection, and has declined to reverse its decision.

A government minister has said that the National Library Board of Singapore was guided by community norms in its recent decision to withdraw three children’s titles about alternative families, local media reported.

Then Chih Wey/Xinhua/Zuma Wire

The books that have been removed include “And Tango Makes Three” a 2005 picture book based on a real-life case of two male penguins that hatched an egg and raised the chick at New Yorks Central Park Zoo.

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